WordValeentreat
to ask earnestly or anxiously
In more detail
1. (verb) to ask someone earnestly or desperately for something; to beg
2. (verb) to treat or deal with (someone or something) in a particular way
Examples
- 1. She entreated her parents to let her go to the concert.
- 2. The king entreated his prisoners with mercy and kindness.
How to use entreat
Entreat is a formal or literary verb meaning to ask someone urgently and emotionally for something, often implying desperation or high stakes. It is more intense than simple request and less common in everyday speech. The second meaning (to treat or deal with) is archaic or obsolete in modern English, so focus on the first sense.
Common phrases
- entreat someone to do something
- entreat someone for help
- entreat someone earnestly
- I entreat you
- entreat a favor
Synonyms
beg · plead · beseech · implore · appeal
Word family
entreaty (noun) · entreating (adjective/present participle)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse entreat with entertain, or use it too casually in contexts where beg or ask would be more natural. Entreat carries weight and emotion; it is not used for routine requests.
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